Thoughts On Mo’Nique vs Charlamagne The God(The Breakfast Club)

Hey, my Kinfolks!
By now you’re aware that Oscar-winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique wants us to boycott Netflix because they offered her 500,000 dollars for a comedy special. To which, I responded with a loud resounding HELL NAW! in my best Ms. Sophia voice. I love Mo’Nique dearly, but I can’t rock with you on this one sis. Was the offer trash? Yes. Should Mo’Nique have received more money? Yes. Is there a disparity in wages amongst African Americans in Hollywood, and more specifically African American women in Hollywood? Yes. Would Mo’Nique be on this crusade if she had been offered what she wanted? I highly doubt it. Did Mo’Nique lose anything from the failed Netflix deal? No, the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement, it happens.All that aside Mo has been making her rounds on the “I Think You Tryin Me, I Think You Really Trying To F*ck Wit Me, You F*ckin Wit My Money” press tour.
Her most recent stop was to Power 105.1 FM’s “The Breakfast Club” featuring DJ Envy, Angela Yee, and Charlamagne The God. I knew this would be a train wreck when I saw the link, but I clicked the link and the shit show commenced. You could cut the tension in the room with a knife. Mo was highly upset that Charlamagne, had given her “Donkey of the Day” and she wanted answers! I was really confused as to how a person who built her brand on calling out so-called “Skinny Bitches” was now upset that she was the butt of a joke. Isn’t a comedian suppose to be able to take a joke in stride? Clearly not.
Mo’Nique & Daddy(Sidney) didn’t provide us with any new information in this interview and didn’t answer any questions. She basically answered questions with questions and deflected. I gather from her tone in this interview and other interviews that she feels she doesn’t have to explain herself. Her tone became nasty and condescending when she realized the hosts weren’t going to agree completely with her. She was even nice/nasty to Angela Yee, who honestly wouldn’t hurt a fly, really sis? There were a lot of false equivalencies made during the interview, and also a lot of mixing of issues in a proverbial pot and throwing it against the proverbial wall to see what would stick. Nothing really stuck and LeoNARD was unwavering in his resolve.
It’s clear that going forward Mo’Nique is going to have to make shit happen independently, none of these streaming companies or movie studios are going to touch her. She has drawn a line in the sand and shown that when she doesn’t get her way she will blast private negotiations on her social media platform. She has burned bridges with Lee Daniels, Tyler Perry, Will Packer, and Oprah. Who is next Shonda Rhimes and Ava DuVernay? I still haven’t figured out her end game? What is the end game sis? You can’t bully these white folks into paying you.
Is Mo’Nique a legend in comedy? Yes. Does she make some valid points? Yes. Do I feel this whole protest is self-serving? Yes. Could she have gone about this in a different way? Hell yes! Will I be boycotting Netflix? No, because there are tons of other African Americans with quality content on there, Seven Seconds, being one example.
I will not be throwing the baby out with the bath water where Mo’Nique and boycotting Netflix is concerned. I wish her the best in her future endeavors and will support her future endeavors. Hopefully, she can channel all this vitriol into a comedy special or one-woman show. I also hope she seeks new representation because “Daddy” is completely steering her wrong. Lastly, let’s be clear that Mo’Nique struggle is not that the same as the average black person’s struggle by no stretch of the imagination. She is an independent creative and has the luxury of picking and choosing when she wants to work, a luxury that is not afforded to many of us. So before you go canceling your Netflix subscription really do some critical thinking about this and also research how business works, and see if you can “Make it make sense.” I can’t.
Check out the train wreckage below:
Sidenote: Am I the only one who is annoyed by the “sweetie,” “baby,” “sweetness,” and etc. that Mo’Nique uses when addressing people?
Whut, say you?